Collaboration between the German government, academia, and airplane manufacturers may make future aircraft cabins more protective of pilots and passengers. The Safety Box team plans to apply auto racing technology to general aviation.

The black-and-white photo is sharp, but Tecnam was careful to keep most of their newest creation under wraps in a March 20 announcement of the coming Astore, named in honor of the company’s first production design and timed for the company’s sixty-fifth anniversary. There was no word on the performance of this new light sport aircraft, but Tecnam promised it will be comfortable, and include an iPad Mini as standard equipment.

In 2012, AOPA staff traveled the world to offer advice to budding aviation communities, report on emerging technology, and step into the shoes of pilots who fly over different topography and in a foreign regulatory landscape.